::32::

It was my birthday today...

So I made a cherry-cheesecake pie.  Sure wish I could've shared a slice with you! How 'bout the recipe instead?

Cherry Cheesecake Pie

1 box refrigerated ready-to-bake crusts (I know...this is really cheating!)

1/2 cup sugar

1 T cornstarch

2 bricks (8oz each) softened cream cheese

1 egg

1/2 t almond extract (this is really a key ingredient- don't skip this one!)

1 can (21oz) cherry pie filling

Egg white

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 9" pie plate. Fit 1 crust into pie plate.  Unroll or unfold remaining crust on a cutting board; cut in 1/2 inch wide strips. Set aside.  Mix sugar and cornstarch in a medium bowl.  Add cream cheese and beat until smooth.  Add egg and extract, beat until just blended. Spread batter evenly in crust; spoon pie filling evenly over the top. Beat egg white and brush over the strips of pie crust.  Arrange 8 strips across the pie.  Then place 8 more strips on diagonally over the first strips to form a lattice. Trim ends and press into bottom crust. Brush rim with egg white and press on almonds. Bake 50-60 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbling. Cool on rack. (I like to serve this cold so I pop it in the fridge overnight.)

Enjoy!